Device for assembling the longitudinal edges of panels, lath or wainscots

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device for assembling longitudinal edges of panels, laths or wainscots ( 1 ) consisting of a male portion ( 2 ), for equipping the longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots ( 1 ) and of a female portion ( 3 ) with matching shape for equipping the other longitudinal edge of the panels, laths or wainscots ( 1 ). The male portion ( 2 ) is in the form of a longitudinal tongue inclined upwards, the female portion ( 3 ) having matching cross-section and inclination. The device is equipped with vertical load transfer elements in service position. The invention is more particularly useful in the building sector, in particular for flooring, wall facing or ceiling finish, with panels, laths or wainscots made of different materials, such as wood, skin materials and synthetic materials.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of construction, in particular coverings for the ground, walls or ceilings, particularly in the form of panels, laths or wainscots of different materials, such as wood, layered materials, synthetic materials . . . , and has for its object a device for assembling the longitudinal edges of such panels, laths or wainscots.

[0002] At present, elements for covering the ground, walls or ceilings are generally present in the form of panels, laths or wainscots produced of different materials, such as solid wood, compressed particles provided with a synthetic coating or solid wood or entirely in synthetic material having a textured visible surface.

[0003] These different elements are generally assembled together by known means of the tongue and groove type. Two adjacent sides of these elements are for example provided with a tongue adapted to coact with grooves provided on two corresponding sides of the corresponding elements. Thus, each element has, on the one hand, two tongues on two adjacent sides, the two other sides being provided with grooves.

[0004] These assembly means generally permit correctly satisfying the requirements of connection of the elements together and of positioning these elements at the same level but require, to hold the assembly and for perfect joining, the use of glue or else gripping means on the lower surface and securement of the latter to battens or the like.

[0005] However, securement to a batten invariably leads to the creation of a vacuum below the covering elements, which is often incompatible with the desired effect, namely for example for positioning the ground coverings called floating parquet. Thus, in such a case, the covering elements must be disposed directly on a support layer or the like, possibly with the interposition of a sound and/or heat insulating element. In such a case, it is necessary to provide gluing of the different elements together at the level of their longitudinal and lateral joints of the tongue and groove type.

[0006] To avoid these drawbacks, it has been proposed to provide panels, laths or wainscots, near their tongue and groove assembly means along their longitudinal edges, with a mechanical device improving the quality of said assembly by creating of an anti-dislocation means in the assembled position, which is to say when two successive elements are assemble by tongue and groove and are disposed flat. This mechanical device permits moreover, in the position assembled flat, a movement along the longitudinal axis of the elements, so as to promote the interfitting of their end tongues in the corresponding end groove of the adjacent element.

[0007] Such mechanical devices are essentially of two types, namely using complementary locking mechanical portions, or provided with a portion integrated by locking, and are known from EP-A-0 877 130, EP-A-0 855484, EP-A-0 969 164, EP-A-969 163, WO-A 99/66152, WO-A 99/66151, WO-A 98/24995, WO-A 98/24994 and WO-A 97/4783.

[0008] The complementary mechanical portions are either profiles with a cross-section in the form of a hook, or hooks uniformly distributed along the length of the elements and coacting with grooves of corresponding shape provided in the edges of said elements.

[0009] Such elements of course permit a correct connection between the panels, laths or wainscots, but require quite specific positioning manipulations, namely, an engagement of the connecting elements in an inclined position of the panels, laths or wainscots relative to each other, then a return to horizontal position of these latter for their lateral engagement, or a preliminary arrangement of the connecting profiles of cross-section in the form of hooks, below the edge of one of the panels, laths or wainscots and the engagement of the other end of these profiles below the corresponding edge of the adjacent panels, laths or wainscots, the lateral engagement being carried out after this mechanical connection or on the longitudinal edges.

[0010] These known supplemental mechanical connection devices have, however, the drawback of being of a relatively complicated construction, using simultaneously tongue and groove assemblies and a mechanical means for holding in service position, providing any sliding of a panel, lath or wainscot relative to another perpendicularly to their longitudinal edges.

[0011] Moreover, in the case of a mechanical connection between longitudinal edges by means of only the coaction of the shape of complementary elements forming an integral portion of the panels, laths or wainscots, and machined together with assembly tongue and grooves, there arises, on the one hand, a problem of machining the mechanical connecting elements and, on the other hand, a problem of reliability over time of these mechanical connection elements. Thus, the connection and assembly means known from the above documents are essentially adapted to ensure perfect mounting of the panels, laths or wainscots with an assembly without play at their joints, equivalent to a traditional assembly by gluing the panels, laths or wainscots together or by nailing these on support battens, whilst permitting complete disassembly for possible remounting on another utilization site.

[0012] The machining of the directly ready mechanical connection elements at longitudinal edges, involves the use of relatively fine and extremely sharp tools, so as to permit production of thin walls that necessarily result from machining the panels, laths or wainscots of very small thickness. As a result, the tools used are of high cost and the machining itself requires verification at relatively short regular intervals so as to avoid fluctuations of dimensions arising from relatively rapid wear of the cutting tools used. These machining problems have the logical consequence of a corresponding increase in the cost of the panels, laths or wainscots.

[0013] Moreover, the production of mechanical holding elements in the form of relatively thin walls and projecting elements on these walls gives rise to a certain fragility of these mechanical elements which has as its result fairly rapid destruction of said elements during repeated handling during assembly and dismounting of the panels, laths or wainscots thus constituted. Thus, because of the interfitting of the mechanical elements with each other and the holding with light gripping of the corresponding longitudinal edges of the panels, laths or wainscots thus provided, these mechanical elements are urged by a tractive force perpendicular to the longitudinal edges, as well as by flexure forces, during each assembly or disassembly.

[0014] It has also been proposed, in WO-A-97/4783, to provide an assembly and holding means in the form of a longitudinal element of transverse cross-section of the arc of a circle, whose female portion is on a longitudinal edge of a panel, of a lath, or of a wainscot and whose male portion, in the form of a hook, is on the opposite longitudinal edge. Theoretically, such an assembly permits simultaneously perfect holding at the level of the joints, in the service position. However, the stability of this assembly cannot be ensured, particularly because an inequality in the ground or support, in particular in the form of a hollow, will have as a result the possibility of dislocation of the assembly, because vertical load bearing has not been provided. Such an effect is further accentuated if the blades are disposed on a flexible sound and/or thermal insulating support. Moreover, the production of such an assembly means by machining is totally impossible, in particular along the edges of panels, laths or wainscots of small thickness.

[0015] The present invention has for its object to overcome the drawbacks of these assembly and holding devices known to date, by providing an assembly device for the longitudinal edges of such panels, laths or wainscots, permitting ensuring simultaneously by shape mating, a perfect and automatic juncture of the adjacent longitudinal edges of the panels, laths or wainscots and a self-locking of said panels, laths or wainscots against each other, along said longitudinal edges, in particular under a load.

[0016] To this end, the assembly device for the longitudinal edges of such panels, laths or wainscots, which is constituted by a male portion along a longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots and by a female portion of corresponding shape along the other longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots, is characterized in that the male portion is present in the form of an upwardly inclined longitudinal tongue, the female portion having corresponding cross-section and inclination, and in that it is provided with a vertical load transfer means in the service position.

[0017] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:

[0018] FIGS. 1 to 3 show in side elevation and in crosssection, three embodiments of the device according to the invention.

[0019] FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings show an assembly of two panels, laths or wainscots 1 by means of an assembly device for the longitudinal edges, which is constituted by a male portion 1 on one longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots 1 and by a female portion 3 of corresponding shape on the other longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots 1.

[0020] According to the invention, the male portion 2 of this assembly device is present in the form of an upwardly inclined longitudinal tongue, a female portion 3 having a corresponding cross-section and inclination. Moreover, the assembly device according to the invention is provided with a vertical load transfer means in the service position.

[0021] This vertical load transfer means is present preferably in the form of at least one longitudinal shoulder 4 connecting at least the lower edge of the inclined tongue 2, forming the male portion of the device, to the corresponding longitudinal edge and at least one other shoulder 5 provided on the corresponding edge delimiting the female portion 3 of the assembly device, these shoulders 4 and 5 being parallel to the upper and lower planes 1′ and 1″ of the panels, laths or wainscots 1.

[0022] The male portion 2 in the form of a longitudinal tongue preferably has a cross-section which narrows from the longitudinal edge of the panel, lath or wainscot 1 in the direction of the free edge of said tongue. This, the assembly of the corresponding edges of the panels, laths or wainscots can be easily carried out by placing the inlet opening of the female portion 3 in registry with the free edge of the tongue forming the male portion 2, with a slight preliminary inclination of the panel, lath or wainscot to be connected, this inclination progressively approaching horizontal to the extent that the male and female portions 2 and 3 of the panels, laths or wainscots 1 enter into coaction during assembly. Toward the end of the assembly operation, the longitudinal shoulder or shoulders 4 and 5, delimiting respectively the tongue forming the male portion 2 and the opening forming the female portion 3, enter into intimate contact and coact so as to provide an intermediate support at the level of the joint between the panels, laths or wainscots 1.

[0023]FIGS. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing show two possible modified embodiments of the means for transferring the vertical load. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder 4 can project from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the panel, lath or wainscot 1 and is connected to the male portion in the form of a tongue 2 by a right angle edge, the corresponding shoulder 5 being present in the form of a recess in the corner of the corresponding edge of the panel, lath or wainscot 1. It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 3, that the shoulder 4 be present in the form of the surface of a longitudinal throat, whose other surface forms a surface of the longitudinal tongue constituting the male portion 2, the shoulder 5 thus constituting one surface of a projecting edge of a shape corresponding to that of the throat, whose other surface is constituted by one of the walls forming the recess constituting the female portion 3.

[0024] According to a modified embodiment of the invention and as shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing, the vertical load transfer means is preferably constituted by two longitudinal shoulders 4 extending on opposite sides of the inclined tongue 2, forming the male portion of the device, and connecting the corresponding edges of said tongue to the corresponding longitudinal edge, and by two other shoulders 5 provided on the corresponding edge delimiting the female portion 3 of the assembly device and delimiting a straight longitudinal groove, these shoulders 4 and 5 being parallel to the upper and lower planes 1′ and 1″ of the panels, laths or wainscots 1.

[0025] Such an embodiment of the load transfer means permits ensuring maximum transfer of the load between two consecutive panels, laths or wainscots at the level of their joint whilst ensuring a perfect self-locking and self-jointing of said panels, laths or wainscots 1.

[0026] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to provide panels, laths or wainscots, whose assembly of the longitudinal edges permits a self-locking and a self-jointing of said edges, as well as self-blocking of said panels, laths or wainscots in the mounted position, whilst permitting a longitudinal displacement of said panels, laths or wainscots 1 for their assembly by tongue and groove along their lateral edges.

[0027] Moreover, the invention permits optimum absorption and distribution of the loads, equivalent to that of a current tongue and groove assembly.

[0028] The panels, laths or wainscots thus provided can be machined in a particularly simple manner with existing tools and with reduced requirement for intermediate adjustment of the tools. Thus, the forming of the tongue comprising the male portion 2, as well as of the shoulders 4, can be carried out by means of milling saws of relatively simple shape, the recess forming the female portion 3, as well as the shoulders 5 being adapted also to be formed by means of such milling saws.

[0029] As a result, the panels, laths or wainscots thus produced are of less price than those known at present.

[0030] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Modifications remain possible, particularly as to the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention. 

1. Assembly device for the longitudinal edges of panels, laths or wainscots (1), constituted by a male portion (2) on a longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots (1) and by a female portion (3) of corresponding shape on the other longitudinal edge of said panels, laths or wainscots (1), characterized in that the male portion (2) is present in the form of a longitudinal upwardly inclined tongue, the female portion (3) having a corresponding cross-section and inclination, and in that it is provided with vertical load transfer means in the service position.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical load transfer means is present in the form of at least one longitudinal shoulder (4) connecting at least the lower edge of the inclined tongue (2), forming the male portion of the device, to the corresponding longitudinal edge, and at least one other shoulder (5) provided on the corresponding edge delimiting the female portion (3) of the assembly device, these shoulders (4 and 5) being parallel to the upper and lower planes (1′ and 1″) of the panels, laths or wainscots (1).
 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male portion (2) in the form of a longitudinal tongue has a cross-section that narrows from the longitudinal edge of the panel, lath or wainscot (1) in the direction of the free edge of said tongue.
 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shoulder (4) projects from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the panel, lath or wainscot (1) and is connected to the male portion in the form of a tongue (2) by a right angle edge, the corresponding shoulder (5) being present in the form of a corner recess of the corresponding edge of the panel, lath or wainscot (1).
 5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shoulder (4) is present in the form of a surface of a longitudinal throat, whose other surface forms a surface of the longitudinal tongue constituting a male portion (2), the shoulder (5) thus constituting a surface of a projecting edge of corresponding shape to that of the throat, whose other surface is constituted by one of the walls forming the recess constituting the female portion (3).
 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical load transfer means is constituted by two longitudinal shoulders (4) extending on opposite sides of the inclined tongue (2), forming a male portion of the device, and connecting the corresponding edges of said tongue to the corresponding longitudinal edge, and by two other shoulders (5) provided on the corresponding edge delimiting the female portion (3) of the assembly device and delimiting a straight longitudinal groove, these shoulders (4 and 5) being parallel to the upper and lower planes (1′ and 1″) of the panels, laths or wainscots (1). 